Middle School Administration Combats Discrimination in Sports Teams

The Columbus School Middle School staff and students are working to unite sports teams by encouraging 6th graders to participate.

Middle School coaches are giving extra time to 6th grade students in games and practices so they feel more like part of the team. In the past, many sixth grade athletes left the teams because they did not feel included or respected.

In Copa Columbus a high percentage of athletes are from sixth grade due to the  encouragement the coaches are giving them.

“In previous years we have had many problems with children in sixth grade since they feel intimidated when participating because the biggest do not make them feel part of the team,” Edwin de Jesus, 6th Grade Basketball Coach, said.

Coaches, administrators and teachers realized students were leaving their sports teams when they moved from elementary to middle school. Coaches saw that fewer 6th grade students were staying after school for training.

“We have seen that when students pass from fifth grade to sixth grade they leave the teams,”  Edwin Vazquez Gomez, middle school coach, said.

Last years students did not feel good with their teams when they were in sixth grade. Coaches did not give them that many opportunities due to their size, age, and lower level of experience.

“When I was a sixth grader I didn’t felt any good on the team, I didn’t play at all and no one believed in me,” Nicolas Escobar, 8th grade athlete, said.

The nonparticipation of 6th graders on the teams has been an issue that students have faced for many years. With the help of staff and mainly the students themselves the percentage of 6th graders getting out of the team or even feeling bad has lowered.

“This is nothing new, we are improving and we are doing very well,” Juan Lopez, said.

Sixth graders started to have better integration in their teams. Students were so blissful with the work of coaches and athletes that they even entered one or more teams.

“So good has been the integration, that I got to practice two sports in which I am very happy,”  Martin Londoño, 6th grade basketball player, said.

All students are really happy with what is happening in the school with sports. Each day teams are becoming more united due to teamwork.

“I had really enjoyed the way that both the teachers and students have treated us this year knowing that we are smaller than them, I would love this to continue,” Tomas Castro, Middle School Soccer Player, said.